ECM

MARILYN CRISPELL / Vignettes

Cat No. ECM 1745277     Barcode: 602517452770

Release date: 28 April 2008 

Points:

• Vignettes is the first ECM solo album from American pianist Marilyn Crispell and an important addition to the ranks of classic solo piano discs on the label including landmark jazz recordings by Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Paul Bley, and Steve Kuhn
• A poetic and lyrical and intimate album with new original compositions by Crispell, free playing and pieces by friends Arve Henriksen and Jayna Nelson
• Vignettes sums up new directions in the music of this great American pianist
• "For two decades, Marilyn Crispell has been one of the most highly regarded pianists at the sharp end of contemporary jazz." - John Fordham, The Guardian

Music & Artist Background:  Marilyn Crispell (born 1947 in Philadelphia) played exclusively classical music until she was 28, when exposure to John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” changed her musical priorities forever. She quickly became one of the most sought after improvising pianists in new jazz with a strongly physical style influenced by the rhythmic propulsion of the music of Cecil Taylor and McCoy Tyner and by the ballad stylings of Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett. 

Her 15-year membership of the Anthony Braxton Quartet (1978-93), confirmed her international standing, as did leader recordings. By 1990 she was also working with European improvisers; her encounters with Scandinavian players in particular made her aware of other ‘jazz’ sensibilities.

Crispell made her ECM debut in 1996 with Nothing ever was, anyway (537 2222), an acclaimed double album of Annette Peacock’s music. It was followed by two more trio discs - Amaryllis (013 4002), with material by Crispell, Gary Peacock and Paul Motian and Storyteller (038 1192) which emphasized Motian’s songwriting. Most recently she appeared on Anders Jormin’s song cycle In winds, in light (981 1231), alongside singer Lena Willemark.

Such recent affiliations are celebrated on the track “Sweden” on Crispell’s new album Vignettes. She also performs Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen’s “Stilleweg”, a ballad by fellow Woodstock citizen Jayna Nelson, “Cuida Tu Espíritu” (Take Care of Your Spirit) and Marilyn’s own tunes including “Valse Triste” and “Once”, as well as “Axis” and “Ballade”, both of which have long featured as themes in her live work. Crispell’s goal is to play music “only from the heart“, and to rule out any habitual or stylized expression: emotion has to well up from the work itself she says, and not be forced.

The result is a remarkably pure musical journey, and one that traverses different territories, atmospheres, and scopes of feeling. “My work on ECM has often been about allowing such musical transformations to take place. It has been the perfect label for me to develop new directions in my music.”

Tracks:

(1) Vignette I  2.19

(2) Valse Triste  2.59 *

(3) Cuida Tu Espíritu  7.47

(4) Gathering Light 5.54 *

(5) Vignette II  2.29

(6) Vignette III  1.06

(7) Vignette IV  1.48

(8) Vignette V  1.36

(9) Sweden  7.04

(10) Once  3.55

(11) Axis  3.45

(12) Vignette VI  2.55

(13) Vignette VII  4.02

(14) Ballade  5.11 *

(15) Time Past  5.41

(16) Stilleweg  6.18 *

(17) Little Song For My Father 3.21

Recommended listening *

Total time: 68.23